Laws on online political ads remain in breach of EU rules

Fresh documents show that the Electoral Reform Bill, intended to prevent foreign interference with Irish elections, is still not in compliance with EU laws.

'It is deeply disappointing that the Government refused to provide a copy of the commission's October correspondence,' said Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Bróin, who sought documents under under the Freedom of Information Act. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

New laws governing online political advertising in Ireland remain in breach of EU rules, even after the Government attempts to fix the legislation, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

Documents released by Local Government Minister Darragh O’Brien’s department to Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Bróin show that the EU Commission slapped the Government’s wrists on numerous fronts, saying its proposed Electoral Reform Bill was in breach of EU competition laws.